By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer
August 29, 2007

Hood River downtown business owners drafted up a plan last week that could help them survive economically during an upcoming construction project.

High on the list was a request that Oak Street remain open to traffic on Valentine’s Day. Contractors will begin working along Oak between Third and Fifth streets by the second week of February. But some retailers are worried about losing profits on a day that traditionally yields high sales.

“On a personal note, just so you know, Feb. 14 is the biggest day of my life,” said Lucy Gorman, owner of Lucy’s Informal Flowers.

Other business owners were equally concerned about having Urban Renewal improvements extend past the start of the tourist season in late May.

“There’s pressure on both sides, so it’s a tough one,” said Lindsay Gott, owner of South Bank Kitchen.

About 25 retailers gathered at Dog River Coffee Company on Aug. 23 to voice concerns. The meeting was facilitated by Moira Reynolds, Downtown Business Association coordinator. She had requested that Ki Bealey from Wallis Engineering, the firm based in Vancouver, Wash, that will oversee the work, and Bob Francis, city manager, be present to answer questions.

“I think we all understand how lucky we are that the city is taking us into this project. We can’t say ‘thank you’ enough,” said Reynolds.

Next winter, the city will undertake the final phase of Urban Renewal work that began in the late 1990s. The $1.2 million project includes replacing aging water, sewer and stormwater lines along a two-block section of Oak. In addition, new sidewalks will be poured and ornamental trees planted.

The stretch of Fourth Street from Oak to State Street will also be closed at times to accommodate the undergrounding of utilities.

DBA members want signs posted that alert customers to the fact that, while sections of Oak are closed, stores are open In addition, the DBA plans to launch an advertising campaign that will deliver the same message via media outlets.

Francis said pedestrian access will be provided through the work zone. He and Bealey agreed that contractor and subcontractors could be required to park off-site so that spaces on or near Oak would be accessible to customers.

Bealey said entry into businesses would be blocked while the repaving of Oak was underway. However, he said that stage of the project could be planned for the middle of the week when business was slower.

“It’s going to be painful, no doubt. But we are here to talk with you and see how we can make it a little more painless,” he said.

Francis also agreed to scout out the possibility of reserving parking spaces in the city lot on Cascade Avenue to accommodate the loading and unloading of merchandise.

“The city is going to do everything that it possibly can do to make this a little easier for you,” he said.

For example, he said the work had been scheduled for a time of year when there were fewer visitors coming through town.

In addition, an incentive and/or penalty clause would be written into the work contract. Francis believes the possibility of a reward or a sanction will ensure that infrastructure upgrades and beautification of Oak was completed on schedule.